187 Field Ambulance - War Diary May 1942
1st May 1942 Cae Ddafydd
15:00 hours. Preparing for Brigade Exercise Drum. The idea is that the Brigade is split into two Forces – one - Davcol, commanded by Lt Col Davies 10th DLI and composed of 10th DLI, 451st Mountain Battery, One Section 757 Royal Engineers, One Platoon Kensingtons and One Company Field Ambulance in a Force equipped for Mountain Warfare – its purpose to destroy any invaders absolutely.
Failing this, by successful offensive operations to gain time for a major counterstroke.
Oxcol (the second Force) commanded by Lt Col Oxley is 70th Infantry Brigade, less 10th DLI, with, under command, 454th Mountain Battery, 757 Royal Engineers less one Section, A Company Kensingtons less One Platoon, 187 Field Ambulance less One Company, a Pack Transport Company less the detachment with Davcol, 25 Mule Company less the detachment with Davcol, Section 29 Mule Company, RVC Veterinary Section and an RAF detachment from 131 Squadron.
This Force has landed by surprise on 3rd May but heavy seas prevented landing craft from operating and the supply situation became serious. However, evening of May 4th weather improved and supplies for 5th May were landed and taken over by Pack Transport Company in the area of LLANBEDR. By 19:30 hours on 4th May Oxcol was concentrated. An aerodrome had been captured and rendered serviceable and was occupied by 131 Fighter Squadron, RAF.
Oxcol was ordered to move on May 5th and capture a factory at LLYN CWM BYCHAN map reference 1053, the Manganese Mine at 1056 and armament works at LLYN LLENYRCH 1159. In order to have full air support ? ? ? was to be reached before 06:30 hours.
Casualties were to be practised and 175 casualty slips – 50 stretcher and 125 walking wounded were made out.
OC Field Ambulance was to be Chief Medical Umpire and Major Orr RAMC was to command HQ and A Company with Oxcol.
Major Brown commanded B Company under Davcol.
The Brigadier was Head of Directing Staff and Lt Col Oxley, 1st Tyneside Scottish, commanded Oxcol and Lt Col Davies 10th DLI commanded Davcol. OC 187th Field Ambulance was Medical Umpire so only one OC – Lt Col commanding 11th DLI – commanded his own unit amongst actual ? ? units. 187th Field Ambulance ? out at ? ? ? as per mountain establishment, also unit was to work ? Bearer Sections etc as laid down.
2nd May 1942
16:00 hours. Conference of Umpires at 14:00 hours when one OC Field Ambulance stressed the importance of taking casualties seriously. Plan all labels have a lower part which can be torn off and on this Umpires were supposed to write name and number, and if casualty card could be returned to the Umpire at the end so that check could be of men who had been made casualties but had not turned up, or reported that they were casualties.
Ambulance getting ready for exercise.
3rd May 1942
14:00 hours. Getting ready for exercise.
4th May 1942
20:00 hours. B Company left Camp 09:30 hours with Davcol. HQ and A Company left at 11:30 hours with Oxcol. Camp was inspected by G.o.C. Western Command, who also saw troops march out, Ambulance loaded quickly and marched out as well. OC left by car at 13:30 hours as Umpire, passing troops on road. There was a delay in passing starting point as troops of Ambulance were kept waiting by Brigade HQ.
HQ and A Company arrived Camp area at 19:00 hours – they came in well and no one fell out. March at least 11 ½ miles.
Organisation of Brigade wants a lot of tightening up. There was no water party with Advance Guard so water point delay. Chlorination delayed. No water police. Men washing in streams. No ? party so Ambulance ? bathed out of Camp area. No rear party to see Camp clean. Latrines – doubtful if many used. Field Ambulance forgot to get sign on road junction quickly. This is important as sick and wounded might easily pass by without seeing it. Field Ambulance did not put up MDS or ADS ? ? ? as patrols out but kept small detachment ? Rations were slice bully beef and three biscuits and some tea – certainly very meagre.
5th May 1942
20:00 hours. Reveille 05:00 hours. Stand-to 05:30 to 06:30 hours. 07:00 hours A Company left to form ADS for attack of 1st Tyneside Scottish. Established in very good place 2 ½ miles from MDS by 08:00 hours. Bearer Sections had gone out to Battalions the evening before. Some casualties both real and for exercise came in about 09:30 hours. MDS was up quickly and was very well done.
At 13:15 hours Brigade Conference, ADS and MDS to move at approximately 14:15 hours. ADS ordered casualties till arrival MDS. Left Camp 15:15 hours and established MDS 4 miles ahead as the ADS about ¼ mile forward. Lt Col Mcnamara had seen both ADS and 1st Tyneside Scottish Regimental Aid Post in the morning.
The Regimental Aid Post had no sign and Medical Officer was sitting on road not taking much notice and when Staff Sergeant from ADS rode by he missed the RAP. Told Medical Officer he must have the sign out so that he can be seen.
ADS a bit slow in gaining contact with RAP, the principle of the Bearer Officer does not appear to be properly appreciated. MDS arrived new position at 17:00 hours.
The Tyneside Scottish attack failed and at 10:00 hours 11th DLI went into attack on left flank. They were a long way from ADS and MDS and though one casualty was carried back for 3 ½ hours when they arrived, ADS had moved. This shows the extreme difficulty of dealing with these widely separated columns.
Another point cropped up re. wheeled stretchers. These were drawn by Mules and used for carrying stretchers when not in use. If this is done a full complement of Stretcher Bearers is required to remove and carry on stretchers when wheeled stretchers are required for casualties.
At 21:00 hours OC Field Ambulance rode over to 11th DLI and saw Medical Officer. They were an hour’s ride away over difficult and often boggy country – again demonstrating the difficulties of getting wounded seen.
6th May 1942
20:00 hours. At 20:00 hours OC Field Ambulance visited Brigade HQ. They had no orders or information except possible move at dawn. At 01:30 hours message received for move of ADS – MDS to remain where it was.
06:30 hours OC Field Ambulance visited ADS and gave orders for move to lake about 1 ½ miles ahead.
07:00 hours ADS told to be set 30 minutes’ notice to move. 08:30 hours casualties arrived. Lt Col Mcnamara went up line but did not see ADS. Heavy dive bombing attack but troops did not react well and require much more training ? ? Plan for attack was now by three columns – 1st Tyneside Scottish on right, centre some Brigade HQ and left 11th DLI.
Very difficult for Mules and impossible for wheeled stretchers.
Went home with some other Umpires by car. B Company arrived home at 15:00 hours and reported that they had kept nearly on top of Regimental Aid Post all the time but that wide separation of the Infantry Companies in the attack ? and great distance from road had made evacuation back impossible.
HQ arrived at 15:15 hours having had a very heavy two days, but only two men fell out, one on account of his boots getting ripped.
7th May 1942
20:00 hours. Umpire Conference. Several very good lessons came out – Brigade admitted ? ? ?and Companies’ water sanitation requires great improvement – there is much too great a tendency for Brigade to site ADS and MDS, though OC Field Ambulance was called to Conference, the siting, subject to the military situation, should be on his advice – great tendency to fail in getting orders to units – eg MDS left behind – the hard scale ration I do not think is sufficient food for any length of time – the greatcoat is not sufficient for sleeping out, support blankets one instead so that the whole body can be covered – the wind-proof suits are extremely good and keep men relatively warm at night – wheeled stretchers are ? useful on roads and tracks and Mules which pull them must be supplied with ? saddles ? ? to carry them as well – it is obvious that if Mountain Warfare is to be undertaken by a series of columns that the present Field Ambulance can never cope with the evacuation of casualties over the distances required by the rate of march and dispersal – Regimental Stretcher Bearers cannot carry stretchers for a long time on the march and also carry wounded out of battle. Mules should be supplied to carry stretchers to points where they are required, this also applies to Field Ambulance.
Leave Party left early - ? men. Also Matrix Test men for 89 Pioneer Corps leaving morning 8th.
8th May 1942
20:00 hours. Kit inspection and pay parades. Men for 89 Company left – sad to see some of them go but cannot help it.
9th May 1942
20:00 hours. Orders for Lt Col Mcnamara to give up his position as OC 187th Field Ambulance and take over Military Hospital. Being replaced by Major Finegan of 159 Field Ambulance. Major Orr also leaving to command No 1 Field Ambulance.
Conference at Brigade and orders that Brigade is moving to S Wales on 15th/16th May. Batteries, Mule Companies and 757 Royal Engineers remaining behind.
10th May 1942
20:00 hours. Orders received and issued regarding the move.
11th May 1942
20:00 hours. Advance Party under Captain Hanlan left at 15:00 hours in two lorries.
12th May 1942 Cae Ddaffyd
18:00 hours. Number 89978 T/Major T.O. McKane RAMC arrived, having been posted as Company Commander from 1st Field Ambulance.
13th May 1942
10:00 hours. Number 67847 Major J.W. Orr left, having been posted to 1st Field Ambulance as Officer Commanding.
Number 5347 Lt Col J.P. Mcnamara left for ? Lincoln to assume appointment as Officer Commanding Military Hospital (?possibly 4th General Hospital).
Number 110062 T/Major J.A. Finegan arrived to take up appointment as Officer Commanding 187th Field Ambulance.
14th May 1942
Preparations for move to South Wales (see Appendix 1 below).
15th May 1942
21:00 hours. Unit, less Advance and Rear Parties, left PORTMADOC for St CLEARS.
16th May 1942
02:00 hours. Unit arrived St CLEARS. Location PEN-Y-COED, St CLEARS, Camarthen, which is in the area of 49th Division.
17th May 1842 St CLEARS.
Secret instructions received referring to reconnaissance of provisional new area to be carried out on 19th May, later amended to 20th May.
18th May 1942
Brigadier Kirkup, Commander 70th Infantry Brigade, visited the Unit.
19th May 1942
Lt Col Finegan left for CARDIFF at 09:00 hours to attend a lecture on the Middle East by Major General Arthur Smith. After the lecture he proceeded to HEREFORD in preparation for reconnaissance on 20th May.
20th May 1942
OC 187th Field Ambulance attended Brigade Commander’s Conference at HUNTINGTON PARK (Sheet 80. 716754) at 11:00 hours; thereafter reconnoitred new location with Royal Engineers representatives to settle water supply, latrines, cookhouses.
Major W.L. Brown returned from leave on 19th May having been interviewed at The War Office by Brigadier S. Dinott (ADM1) on 18th May.
Number 157934 Captain Lintott RAMC reported to No 11 Depot, Beckett Park, Leeds for round voyage trooping as Senior Medical Officer – Authority: T/120 JEM/NG4 A.M.D.1 dated 19th May.
Number 161922 Captain G.K. McGowan attached for temporary duty to 10th Battalion DLI as relief.
21st May 1942
Routine.
22nd May 1942
OC 187th Field Ambulance left at 07:30 hours to attend Training Conference at Divisional HQ.
23rd May 1942
Routine. Captain Smith and Lieutenant Slater returned from course in Iceland (possibly Winter Warfare at AKUREYRI).
24th May 1942
15:00 hours. Unit visited by A.D.M.S. 49th Division.
25th May 1942
Routine.
26th May 1942
10:00 hours. Conference at Brigade HQ regarding move to training area.
27th May 1942
14:00 hours. Instructions from A.M.D.1 for Captain W.D.L. Smith to go on course on Tropical Medicine on June 1st and thereafter to go on Embarkation Leave.
28th May 1942
Routine.
29th May 1942
08:00 hours. Advance Party : Major W.L. Brown, 30 RAMC Other Ranks and 6 RASC Other Ranks and five vehicles left for KINGTON Summer Camp.
09:30 hours. Unit visited by Major General Curtis G.o.C. 49th Division and Brigadier Kirkup, Commander 70th Infantry Brigade.
30th May 1942
Routine.
31st May 1942
Routine.
Appendices attached to War Diary of 187th Field Ambulance May 1942
Appendix 1 – Movement Instruction No 1 dated 14th May 1942
This document was the instructions for moving the Field Ambulance to a new billeting area in South Wales under the command of 70th Infantry Brigade.
Baggage was to be transported to Portmadoc Station under the control of the Quartermaster on 15th May (document has a typing error – showing 15th April). The details were set out on a separate sheet – see below.
Haversack rations were to be collected for consumption on the overnight journey 15th/16th May.
After packs were labelled and loaded on to a lorry the OC was to inspect the Camp at 16:45 hours.
At 17:00 hours the Unit was to parade on the Parade Ground and march to Portmadoc Station – men to be dressed in Field Service Marching Order and in the sequence HQ, A, B, and RASC. Provision made for halts of five minutes in every hour.
The lorry carrying the Large Packs – containing greatcoat and one blanket for each man – was to proceed independently to the Station at 19:45 hours. On arrival the Packs were to be piled on the platform for collection by the men before entraining at 20:45 hours. The train was due to leave at 21:00 hours.
On arrival at the destination a guide was to meet the Unit and lead the men to their billets.
The Officer Commanding the train was to be Captain W.E. Mashiter RAMC assisted by L/Cpl Rogerson and Pte Trewick – who would carry between them a Medical Companion and a Surgical Haversack and a water bottle in case of illness en route.
Lorries to deal with baggage were to be available from 08:00 hours and provide a shuttle service to the Station under the direction of the Quartermaster and his Assistant. Lieutenant Heatherington was appointed Baggage Officer.
Lieutenant Greenhill was appointed Rear Party Officer, assisted by 15 RASC Other Ranks and 4 RAMC Other Ranks, and was to supervise the move of accommodation stores to the Station – a baggage train being organised to depart on 09:00 hours 16th May. He was to hand over the accommodation and obtain clearance certificates – briefing the Staff Captain at Brigade HQ once this was completed. He also had to arrange to release transport to move to the new area as tasks were completed.
The additional appendix sheet described the organisation of the manpower for loading and unloading and the stacking of bedding, tents, Officers’ valises and heavy baggage, including arrangements for their relief and meal breaks. A Company had the task of striking tents and packing the valises accordingly, while B Company was to clean up the Camp area. Containers of cocoa and cooks’ equipment were amongst the final loads for despatch to the Station and for use on the train.
The inspection of the Camp area by the CO was, as indicated on the main Appendix was due to take place at 16:45 hours.
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